The 7 Most Dangerous Cities in Brazil: Avoid These Places

Brazil’s most dangerous cities include Natal (75.59 homicides per 100,000), Fortaleza, Salvador, Feira de Santana (67.46 homicides), Recife, Belém, and Vitória da Conquista. You’ll face risks from drug gangs, armed robberies, and militia violence in these locations. Crime rates have risen sharply over five years, with violence particularly high at night. Avoid displaying wealth, stay in tourist zones, and don’t walk alone after dark. Our detailed breakdown reveals essential safety tips for each city.

Key Points

• Natal tops Brazil’s danger list with 75.59 homicides per 100,000 people, driven by drug gangs and shootouts.
• Salvador experiences high violence during Carnival with a 66.4 homicide rate linked to drug territory wars.
• Fortaleza’s crime index of 89.14 reflects worsening gang violence, with crime levels rising 79.43% over five years.
• Feira de Santana has a homicide rate of 67.46 per 100,000, nearly four times Brazil’s national average.
• Safety perception drops sharply at night in these cities, with public confidence rating just 25/100.

Natal: Brazil’s Murder Capital With 75.59 Homicides per 100,000 People

With a staggering homicide rate of 75.59 per 100,000 residents, Natal stands as Brazil’s most dangerous city. You’ll need extreme caution here, especially in the Zona Norte and Alecrim neighborhoods where drug gangs and shootouts are common.

Extreme danger lurks in Natal, where homicide rates soar and drug gangs control entire neighborhoods.

Police often won’t enter certain areas without military backup, highlighting the severity of the situation. If you’re visiting, stick to tourist zones and avoid walking alone after dark, when safety plummets dramatically.

The violence stems from economic inequality, organized crime, and a struggling justice system. Despite Natal’s beautiful beaches and affluent cultural heritage, these attractions exist in stark contrast to the city’s crime-ridden areas.

The northeastern coastal city’s challenges reflect Brazil’s broader struggle with violence and security. The city continues to suffer from frequent incidents of theft and assault, making it particularly risky for travelers despite its popularity as a destination.

Fortaleza: High Armed Robbery Rates and Gang Violence

Fortaleza ranks as Brazil’s second most dangerous city, boasting an alarming crime index of 89.14 out of 100. With a murder rate of 69 per 100,000 residents, you’ll face significant risks in this northeastern coastal city.

Gang violence and organized crime drive much of the danger, especially in neighborhoods with territorial disputes. Crime levels have experienced a troubling increase of 79.43% over the past five years.

Your safety concerns in Fortaleza include:

1. Very low safety when walking alone (especially at night, with a safety perception of just 13.22/100)
2. Extremely high risk of armed robbery (88.86/100) and vehicle-related thefts
3. Increasing violence trends, with April 2024 being the most violent month in Ceará since November 2020

Despite police blitzes and patrols, crime continues to plague the city, making it essential to exercise extreme caution.

Salvador: Where Drug Territory Wars Create Extreme Danger

Salvador stands as Brazil’s most dangerous city with an unprecedented homicide rate of 66.4 per 100,000 inhabitants, surpassing even Fortaleza’s alarming statistics. The city’s violence stems primarily from drug territory wars and organized crime, creating a climate of constant fear for residents.

If you’re visiting, you’ll face significant risks during Carnival season when crime rates spike dramatically. Street parties, while culturally vibrant, become hotspots for robbery and assault due to their uncontrolled nature. Despite increased police presence, safety remains compromised.

Poverty, unemployment, and economic inequality fuel Salvador‘s crime problem. The northeastern region’s lack of resources and opportunities drives many toward criminal activities. With a crime index of 77.4, Salvador ranks among the highest crime-ridden cities globally.

You should heed international travel advisories that consistently warn about extreme caution in Salvador, especially in less touristic neighborhoods.

Feira De Santana: 67.46 Homicide Rate and Rising Crime Trends

Positioned in Bahia state, Feira de Santana has earned the disturbing distinction of being Brazil’s most violent city with a staggering homicide rate of 67.46 per 100,000 inhabitants. This commercial hub’s violence rate is nearly four times the national average, creating a dangerous environment you should avoid when traveling in Brazil.

Feira de Santana’s alarming 67.46 murder rate makes it Brazil’s deadliest urban center—a place travelers should definitively avoid.

Contributing factors include:

1. Rampant drug trafficking and territorial gang disputes that frequently erupt into deadly confrontations
2. High unemployment and poverty levels, creating vulnerability to criminal recruitment
3. Understaffed and reportedly corrupt police forces unable to control the spiraling violence

According to recent data, Feira de Santana’s position as a major trade hub has unfortunately facilitated the expansion of criminal networks throughout the region.

You’ll find daily life severely impacted by this insecurity, with locals living in constant fear. Businesses struggle under security costs while community spaces are compromised by gang presence.

Recife: Poverty-Driven Gang Activity and Neighborhood Safety Concerns

Located in northeastern Brazil, Recife has earned its place among the country’s most dangerous cities with a homicide rate of 44.7 per 100,000 residents. Ranked as the 22nd most dangerous city globally, Recife struggles with deeply entrenched poverty that fuels gang activity and violence.

You’ll find property crimes like theft and vandalism particularly prevalent, with ratings reaching an alarming 80.77. Drug dealing and use are widespread problems affecting many neighborhoods. Walking alone during daylight hours is considered unsafe with a low safety rating of 32.04.

While traveling here, exercise extreme caution in unfamiliar areas.

The city has implemented promising initiatives like COMPAZ, which has reduced violence by 15% in targeted neighborhoods. However, these improvements haven’t transformed overall safety conditions yet.

If you must visit, research safe areas thoroughly and avoid displaying wealth or wandering alone, especially after dark.

Belem: Militia Gangs and Drug Trade Violence

Nestled at the mouth of the Amazon River, Belém ranks among Brazil’s most dangerous cities with a homicide rate of 39.6 per 100,000 residents. The city struggles with militia gangs often composed of off-duty police officers, creating a particularly toxic criminal environment in neighborhoods like Guamá and Terra Firme.

The combination of poverty and a thriving drug trade has created a perfect storm of violence:

1. Militia control – Armed groups, often including corrupt police, dominate certain areas with violence and intimidation
2. Economic desperation – High unemployment drives residents toward illegal activities for survival
3. Systemic corruption – Bribery and corruption undermine legitimate institutions, making crime-fighting nearly impossible

Residents experience very low safety at night, with nighttime safety rating barely above 14 out of 100, making evening navigation extremely dangerous.

If you visit, avoid walking alone at night and stay clear of high-risk neighborhoods where drug trafficking is prevalent.

Vitoria Da Conquista: Economic Hardship and a 52.47 Murder Rate

With a staggering murder rate of 52.47 per 100,000 inhabitants, Vitória da Conquista stands as one of Brazil’s most dangerous urban centers. Some sources place this figure even higher—up to 70.3—ranking it 10th nationally for homicides and far exceeding Brazil’s average of 17.9.

You’ll face substantial risks here, with violent crimes like armed robbery and assault occurring frequently. The city has very high concerns regarding violent crime, as indicated by a troubling score of 81.25 out of 100. Drug-related issues are rampant, exacerbating public safety problems.

Safety perception is particularly poor at night, with confidence ratings at just 25/100.

The city offers few tourist attractions and limited economic opportunities, creating a cycle of poverty and crime.

Both locals and visitors report high fear levels of being mugged or physically attacked, with crime increasing markedly over the past five years.

The Sum Up

While Brazil offers stunning beaches and vibrant culture, you’ll find deadly dangers lurking in these seven cities. You can enjoy the country’s beauty without risking your safety by avoiding the neighborhoods where gang violence and drug wars have pushed murder rates to shocking heights. Plan your itinerary carefully, stay informed about current conditions, and you’ll experience Brazil’s warmth without becoming another statistic in its crime reports.